Made in Hawai‘i Film Festival, Aug. 25

Selections have been released for the Made in Hawai‘i Film Festival, happening Aug. 25, 2018, at the Hilo Palace Theater on Hawai‘i Island. Eighteen films have been selected to play over the day-long festival, including documentary, narrative, feature and short films and music videos.

Feature-length films include Maui-made historical drama Kuleana, Big Island adventure film #Wanderlust and the documentary Livin’ On a Rock which explores the evolving music scene on Hawai‘i Island.

Kuleana (Directed by Brian Kohne). Courtesy photo.

Films have been programmed in five blocks, including a horror-genre block titled Haunted Hawai‘i, a music block, and a special shorts block highlighting alumni selections from the Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF).

“I’m thrilled to showcase such a large selection of Hawai‘i-made films to our Hilo audience,” says festival Executive Director Zoe Eisenberg. “Many of our programmed films were shot on Hawai‘i Island, by East Hawai‘i-based filmmakers who will be at the festival representing their work.”

Presented by the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Castle Resorts & Hotels, the festival features work from both established filmmakers, and the up-and-coming. “We will be showcasing work from several first-time filmmakers,” says festival Technical Director Phillips Payson. “It’s important for us to support emerging talent. It’s a big deal to showcase your work for the first time.

Over 20 local filmmakers will be in attendance of the event, which includes a special industry panel titled Getting Your Project Off the Ground, Independent Filmmaking in Hawai‘i.

Tickets go on sale August 6. For more information, visit online and find the festival on Facebook.